Jesus tells 7 parables about the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 7. They are analogies using scenarios which take place in the here and now. We examine 3 in the middle of this chapter to see what they teach the followers of Jesus about our engagement with the world.

As part of a series of examining how each Bible book points to Jesus, we move into the prophets and see how this book brings together 2 very different pictures - a messianic king and a suffering servant.

In followup to a recent sermon on how our culture views sex, we explore the application of 1 Thessalonians 4, which calls upon us to possess our bodies in holiness and honor. We talk strategy for the sexual battlegrounds we face.

Studies have shown we are generally more likely to trust the people we find attractive or have a “presence” about them. Those who “look the part” are more likely to receive our listening ears, our votes, our willingness to hire them, and our delegation of important roles to them. 1 Samuel highlights how the Israelites, including the prophet Samuel, fall into the trap of relying on the data their eyes are receiving. But God has a strong message about the reliability of our eyes in making value judgments. We explore and apply.

The Christian model for relationship with civil government is actually based on the experience of exile of the Jewish people. So what does being “Resident Aliens” mean for our understanding of citizenship and political engagement? We ask some of those exiles and listen to the wisdom of 1 Peter 2.